Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar

My best friend and I arrived for a 7:15 pm reservation and were immediately seated on the outdoor patio as we requested. We were greeted by Kate, who hands-down has to be the best server in this area. She was kind, knowledgeable, friendly & made us feel very welcome. Throughout the meal, she checked on us frequently and made sure we had everything we needed for dinner. The assistant staff were outstanding as well, from refilling our water to delivering beverages from the bar, and delivering our food. Everything was calm, fluid, delicious, rustic-simple-elegance, efficient, & top-notch. We never felt rushed and we had a lovely evening looking over downtown Truckee. Every table had an amazing view. We were able to pay our bill from our table using an online service that was streamlined and simple. Easiest platform I’ve ever used to pay a bill. Food- we ordered the bread (date butter, yes thank you) My best friend had the French onion soup. We shared the cauliflower appetizer. I had the buratta & squash. Everything was 10/10. We are not vegan but just wanted something light tonight.

Sometimes, you find a restaurant that just makes you comfortable. Cottonwood is that type of place. From the moment you enter, it feels almost like home. It has the "old Tahoe" feelings, too. I didn't realize how much i missed the old days. The food was very good. The servers were very friendly. I had a wonderful meal.

We've had brunch and dinner here while visiting Truckee and loved it. The food is great, the staff friendly, and the view from the outside seating is fantastic.

First of all the staff is great, amazing service and great views. We got the date butter, jumbo chicken wings, french onion soup, Caesar salad with chicken and the chicken burger with truffle fries. Date butter is a must try soooo freaking good, lactose intolerant me could not stay away, definitely worth two lactaids. The salad portion is huge- can be full meal for two lol. Surprised with how fresh and crunchy the lettuce was. The onion soup just hit the spot for a great belly warming on a cold night. There was a crazy random hail storm that afternoon, snow in july who would think! The rose paired nice with it. The wings & burger was good too, fries 🌟🌟🌟 The only reason I dint put a 5star, is just personal preference as I like food a little spicy and none of it (esp the wings) was that. As the place is super popular, do make reservations.

We hadn’t been to Cottonwood since before the pandemic. I’d heard it had struggled but it is definitely up to prior standards. The Brussel Sprouts were a delightful surprise, sweet and cooked with apples and bacon. I had the ginger carrot soup which was strong on the ginger, my husband had the French Onion soup which was really good and not too cheesy. My salmon was so big I almost couldn’t finish it- all the portions were large but this was the largest cut of fish I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It was perfectly cooked and had a really nice seasoning. My husband had the short ribs, also a good size portion, and he said it just melted in his mouth. If you haven’t been, Cottonwood sits on the old town hill by the “Hilltop” sign and at night you over look old town Truckee, all lit up. It’s a great view, very chill atmosphere and great food. Good wine list too!

Excellent food and ambiance. Great outdoor seating with view of town. Elk was excellent.

We had a family dinner and everyone liked the food. We had the short ribs, cheeseburgers, cesar salad and onion soup. Everything was delicious. The kids would have enjoyed a little more salt in the food.

This was a great evening out with our family. It was easy to book a reservation online. We actually wanted to switch to outside dining once we arrived and the staff moved some tables around and accommodated us. The elk was cooked to perfection and the views and atmosphere were unforgettable. I would definitely recommend Cottonwood for a nice evening out with family and friends.

My family comes here every summer for a special dinner out. The ambience here cannot be beat, the view of downtown Truckee from the deck is spectacular, and they have umbrellas to block the sun and blankets for when the weather cools down. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation for the deck, as I feel that is the best way to experience this spot. The service is what you expect at a higher end restaurant. The menu is succinct, but offers a range of options from cheeseburgers to rack of lamb. The Caesar salad has always been a stand out here, we order it every time we come and is the perfect size for sharing between four adults. This year it was especially good (it has been inconsistent in the past), being generous with the dressing and having a punchy anchovy and garlic flavor. If you like anchovies, you can also ask for more of them on top, which we did. The garlic truffle fries were also great for sharing, and had the perfect amount of truffle flavor. The seared cod on the current menu is exceptional, with buttery meat and crispy, salty skin on top of flavorful pesto risotto. For those who like rare meat, beware that the pork chop and rack of lamb lean medium. The only thing we were disappointed with this time around where the crispy brussels sprouts, which were a bit under blanched and did not have the flavor we have experienced in the past. Cottonwood continues to be an enjoyable family tradition, and if you're looking for a more upscale restaurant with a great view, I would recommend.

A Mountain Gem That Hits Every Note--Especially the Fried Chicken Sandwich ! If you find yourself in Truckee and don't make a pilgrimage to Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, you're missing out on something magical. Nestled in a historic ski lodge overlooking the town, the vibe alone is worth the visit--cozy wood beams, twinkling lights, and that dreamy mountain view from the deck. But the real star of my evening? The fried chicken sandwich. Golden, crispy perfection on the outside, juicy and tender inside, layered with just the right balance of pickled peppercinis, slaw, and sauce. Every bite was a concert of crunch and flavor, the kind you close your eyes to savor. I've had a lot of fried chicken in my day, but this one might be the new gold standard. The service was lightning-fast and genuinely warm. From the moment we walked in, the staff treated us like regulars--friendly, attentive, and just plain awesome. You can tell they care about creating a great experience, not just taking your order. To top it off, the vibe was upbeat and relaxed--perfect for dinner with friends. Whether you're local or just passing through, do yourself a favor: go to Cottonwood, order that fried chicken sandwich, and soak in the Truckee charm. This place is more than a restaurant--it's a memory waiting to happen. ---

I've been to cottonwood a couple times now and each time has been very enjoyable. Whether on the deck or indoors by the windows, the view is special. Service was delightful and warm. I absolutely love their Caesar salad and it is best shared, as it is big. Whether you want wine or a mocktail, their drink selection is quality. I celebrated my birthday here and they definitely went over and beyond to make it a special night. I'd love to go back during Summer to see what it is like then, too.

We came here with a large gaggle of girls for my bachelorette party. Everyone was so accommodating and wanted us to have a great time! We were seated on the patio with a beautiful view over Truckee. Even with a large party, service was fantastic. They made great recommendations and the food was nothing short of fantastic! They even had vegan options on the menu to accommodate different dietary preferences. For my main, I got the red wine braised short ribs. They were delicious and melted in your mouth! Absolutely divine!

We came here for my friend's bachelorette party dinner before bar hopping in downtown Truckee! We got to sit outside on the patio which overlooks downtown and the nearby mountains, it was beautiful. They have string lights and heaters that turn on once it starts getting dark. They have live music on the inside on certain nights. Plus some fun vintage ski decorations! It's a bit off the downtown strip, probably about half a mile to walk from here to other bars and things to do downtown. It's not too far but is a pretty steep walk down for girls in heels! As I am currently pregnant, I was excited to see the Non-Sense Mocktail on the menu! It was fruity and pretty sweet but made me feel included with all my friends who got cocktails. I think the appetizers were the best part of this meal! We got the bread and butter, butternut squash + burrata, and sides of garlic truffle fries. The bread and butter included regular butter and a delicious cinnamon butter that I could've ate with a spoon because it was so good. The burrata was really yummy too but the garlic truffle fries were my fave! Big serving size, plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, crispy fries. I got the chipotle chicken pasta for my entree. I really liked the pasta and the sauce but was not a fan of the baked chicken. It was served as a large piece that was hardly seasoned. I think it would've been better if it was seasoned, grilled, and then sliced and mixed into the pasta. The serving size was also a little on the smaller side. We all split some chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert which was a great way to end the meal! Service was good but it did take a while for some of the girls to get their second round of drinks after ordering them. They provided complimentary shots for everyone at the end of the meal since we were there for a bachelorette which was really nice. Overall, we had a good experience here and I would come back again!

The desert was great. The pork chop was great. Dinner coffee needs a major improvement.

Super cute restaurant just beyond downtown Truckee! The inside was pretty cute with a more cozy vibe (and had live music on Friday night) but their patio/deck was the selling point for me - and it had heat lamps! Our server was very nice and super attentive. The price point was about on par with the rest of Truckee but I think it's a little overpriced for what you are getting. I had ordered the bucatini and added shrimp which was very tasty. Definitely a top favorite place to eat in Truckee.

Came here for brunch on a Saturday morning. Had the French onion soup, black bean burger, and Tahoe hash (plus a few mimosas tee hee). Our server Joey was wonderful and the food was delicious, fresh, and satisfying. Would love to come back for dinner as I can imagine the view overlooking Truckee is spectacular as the sun sets and the lights turn on.

Location is awesome. You get to see downtown Truckee while dining. There is an option to sit outside or dine indoor. Service is great but food is not very impressive.

We had a great experience today. Joey killed it! Not only was the salad the best I've had in a long time but the overall service killed it. Bread was amazing and the vibe was amazing

Excellent service and the food was amazing. I highly recommend the Caesar's salad. Though it's definitely a shared item, the salad is fresh and savory. The ambiance is off the charts. If you like ski history this is your place. From pictures, equipment, and the oldest ski hill right outside the restaurant, this place screams nostalgia. Then if you are able to be seated next to the windows you will overlook the historic town of Truckee. Day or night it is a beautiful view. Summertime allows deck seating with the same view. Enjoy!!

Great food, great service, great view. We've been going to the Cottonwood since the 1980s and have never been disappointed! it is situated on tops a hill overlooking the city of Truckee and the beautiful mountains.

Food underwhelming. Eggs Benedict was undercooked almost raw egg. Cesar salad heavily dressed made greens very limp.

Got a window table, great view, great service and fantastic food. Sam was our server and was spot on.

We stop here often for a drink and to sit outside with the awesome view in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter indoor seating it is :) The bar is nice and friendly. We had breakfast the other day and the hash was amazing. The bloody Mary's here are also delicious and come with a variety of pickled veggies. I definitely recommend checking this spot out.

I don't follow orders well so, I'll go out of order: Service was wonderful from start to finish. Our server, Spencer, was so exceptionally accommodating. He gave us great suggestions and did a great job! Food was delish. That Caesar Salad... OMG!!! French onion soup ... magnifique!! And we had the short ribs ... to die for!! Cottonwood is all about that ambiance!! It's such a great view of Truckee. We were here in mid-winter. Snow was falling. Lights twinkling inside and out. Yes it's old school. People are dressed comfortably and we enjoy that vibe. I've read the neg reviews ... I give them no credibility. You must have come in in a bad mood. Recommend The Cottonwood 1000%

Our favorite place to eat in Truckee when in town! Recently, we dined there this past Friday evening and then again for brunch on Saturday. The views and sunsets are gorgeous, and the staff is excellent even when they are understaffed. The new general manager is such a sweet heart! I highly recommend this place to everyone. Do yourself a favor and ALWAYS order the Caesar salad (with a side of anchovies). YUM!

We went to Cottonwood one evening in the summer with some friends who were visiting and had a lovely time. It's hard to beat the view from the patio and the vibe is really fun. We enjoyed the food and the company, and the servers were really nice and understanding about our friends' toddler. All in all a great experience!

Service was great, our server was very attentive. The views are gorgeous, however the food was incredibly underwhelming. For the price, we expected a much better culinary experience.

I've always sat at the restaurant to eat, and the entrées are hearty and great for the winter months. On my recent trip I just sat at the bar and enjoyed the local vibe. The bartenders were good and the drinks were stout.

I live this restaurant in Truckee. The view is fantastic. Parking is easy. Great bar drinks, happy hour and more. Burgers or fancy rack of lamb, in addition lion to many menu items.

We had a work Christmas party here and they were super accommodating to our large crowd, kid friendly and had exceptional service. As stressful as it could have been for a waiter- spencer handled service well, made sure everyone had what they needed and had a smile on his face while doing it. The food was also so unique and mouthwatering. We will definitely be back!

Recently had dinner and had the salmon which was served with black beans which is usually for a salmon dinner. Usually vegetables and even mashed potatoes accompany a salmon dinner. . We asked for bread and it must of been frozen and put in the microwave. Of course the bread was not good and we were charged extra for the bread. So now for dessert, we asked for ice cream and they said they were out of ice cream. HOW WOULD THAT HAPPEN? I do not know what is happening at cCottonwood but we have had our last meal there

This is a somewhat elevated experience for Truckee In service, and with the beautiful view of town. It's one of the oldest places in town, a old ski resort. The bones are still there with some hip retro touches. Service was good. Servers were knowledgeable and attentive. The menu has the right amount of items and makes a effort to have some affordable items with elevated dishes. We had the flank steak and it had a magnificent sear. Enjoyed the experience and the food

It's been ages since we've been to Cottonwood but I'm so glad we came back. Part of the allure is the sweeping views of downtown Truckee and we enjoyed Al fresco dining on the patio. They have plenty of umbrellas to shade customers from the summer sun. Started off with the pork belly appetizer - nice crispy pieces of meat with a cool Napa cabbage slaw as contrast. I thought the buffalo cauliflower was a fun take on wings. Portions can be sizable like the popular burger. Our table also dined on the salmon and bucatini. Topped it off with a great berry crisp.

Disabled people clearly not welcome. Tried to go here for my partner's birthday. She has a service dog for a physical disability, and we were asked by a host (man with beard and waxed mustache) for documentation. When we told him that's not required by ADA, he asked what the dog's service was. When we told him that, he asked us to guarantee that the dog would remain under the table for the duration of the meal. Then suddenly he wasn't sure if there was outdoor seating. It was very clear to us that we were not welcome, so we left and went to 1882 with my partner in tears. Do not go here if you have a disability, and even if you are able bodied, know that this is who you are supporting.

Host A+ Wait Staff B Food: Salmon = D- Wayyyy overpriced, dry, served with a tablespoon on Cauliflower smear and KIDNEY Bean surprise! WHO serves kidney beans with salmon??? 2 different Burgers = D- Burnt buns, overcooked/leathery, soggy cold fries Short Ribs = B for meat + 2 tablespoons cauliflower smear and raw all dente carrots that were inedible. Drinks A Bill = VERY high considering the food quality. Neon Sign - Missing Lights Final Verdict = Wouldn't Recommend!!! This place clearly lacks a true chef who is passionate about his/her food! Owner/Manager banks on apres ski traffic and not serious diners.

Delicious food. but our cocktails were served in filthy glasses and they did nothing for us. when you pay those outrageous prices, you expect a lot more than that! We will not return!

We loved Cottonwood! The history of location is interesting. And the view of Truckee is amazing. Especially at sunset. The food was good and the service was on point. My only small complaint is the menu doesn't have a ton of options. But we figured it out and enjoyed dinner. We will be back!

I love coming here on nice days so we can sit outside and enjoy the view - the food is kind of hit or miss, but the service has always been great. Last time we were in, we ordered bread & butter as an appetizer, but it was brought out with our entrees and I was disappointed that the bread was not warm and was pretty stiff/ stale. I enjoyed the burger, but it did not come with any kind of sauce, and they only had ketchup, mustard, or garlic aioli. For a $25 burger, I expected a little more pizazz and a burger sauce at the bare minimum, so it wasn't bad, but wasn't worth the cost either. The short ribs were very good, though served over the smallest helping mashed potatoes I have ever seen, and they were more of a purée. Overall it was a good meal, but not what you'd expect or hope for when considering the price and luxurious ambiance. However, we have been in on other occasions and have had meals that really did meet expectations, so it somewhat depends on what you get or when you go. It's a place we'll keep going back to, even if only for drinks or snacks, because it's absolutely one of the best views & outdoor patios in Truckee, and I love the history of the building itself.

Sam provided us with exceptional service and attention. The food was delicious, and the views were breathtaking. I highly recommend this establishment.

We just finished our anniversary dinner at Cottonwood and could not be more pleased! Our server was so friendly and great and his recommendations were fabulous. The lamb was phenomenal and the chicken chipotle pasta was absolutely delicious. Cocktails were excellent. The view of downtown Truckee from the deck was gorgeous. Dessert (strawberry bread pudding) was delicious. After everything, the entire staff signed a lovely Happy Anniversary card for us- what a class act!! I've never even heard of a restaurant doing that. So touched and so impressed. Thank you, Cottonwood!

Orders: House Marinara over Bucatini + Bolognese Sauce | Cottonwood Classic Caesar Salad | Butternut Squash Soup This is a popular restaurant in Truckee boasting the only dining room that with a gorgeous view that overlooks downtown Truckee. It's a great option for when you don't want to navigate downtown parking - you can drive just 5 minutes beyond downtown to Cottonwood where they have their own parking lot. During nice weather, you can enjoy Bocce Ball outside on the outdoor patio (has heatlamps). I knew our server Eric from dining at the Truckee Tavern & he is wonderful. Super attentive & always provides great, polite, positive service! I'd definitely go back for brunch, as that menu looks more interesting with fairer prices. I love the staple that this restaurant is for Truckee, but the pricing is high for the simplicity of the dinner meals (for example, our Caesar Salad was $22, and our pasta was mostly noodles, not sauce & was $28. Really good noodles, but still. Our server was really sweet & let us order some extra Bolognese sauce which was reeeally delicious!!) The food was really good & the service and view, excellent! Will be back to give brunch a go! Thank you!!

We were delighted that they were open for brunch/lunch on weekends since we don't drive at night any more. Everything was great: Eric greeted us warmly and had a window table with a great view over Truckee for us. The interior is cozy and historic. Joey, our server, was friendly and efficient. Our hamburgers were delicious, and we left eager to return. Thank you, Cottonwood.

They have an incredible brunch with unique and fresh cocktails. We enjoy sitting at the bar during happy hour with one of their frenchie margaritas.

Was refused service here by the manager. "They do not allow dogs, nor do they recognize ESAs". Went to 1882 Bar & Grill right down the road instead and received excellent service! Their pulled pork sandwich is tremendous as well.

Service & atmosphere five star! Food is more like 3 star, especially for the price. My burger & bun were over cooked & my husbands asparagus was burned. (Not much flavor) You are paying for the vibe & people watching! Fries are great, my husband's steak was great. Salads not great. The staff was amazing from the young kid at the host station to our waiter. These guys are on it! Expensive.

Great spot to grab a cozy drink with a great view. Our friends bought us here while we were visiting after a morning of riding at Alpine. We loved all the 1900's photos and ski decor. We all got bloodies to soothe our NYE hangovers and a bunch of cozy eats. Shared the Caesar salad which was tasty. We also shared the lobster bisque with was cozy, but a little too seafoody for me. Everyone else was fine with. I'm sticking with the 5 stars because I'm an absolute nightmare when it comes to ordering. Everyone makes fun of me for this because I'm constantly creating my own dish. Quite often it'll come out wrong and I made a joke that it was going to get get destroyed... our server definitely looked a little confused, but it came back perfectly! Thanks for staying on top of it!

Meh. Odd but cozy ambiance. Poor value for money. Neither food nor service made sense with the high prices.

Nice 5 pm visit on the patio. Loved the decor on the walls in the quaint bar. Good appetizers. The new manager appears to be doing a great job !

This review definitely has mixed feelings. The good news is that the kids menu was highly appreciated and definitely delicious for the little ones. Especially the kid's pasta and cheese! The fried chicken sandwich was also very tasty and a very large portion! The staff was very friendly, and it was easy to make a reservation online. We were also seated at a table with a great view! However, when we were seated we found crumbs on our chairs and on the floor. Kind of disappointing. I liked my steak but a steak aficionado would of complained that it was over seasoned and slightly over cooked. I think I will give this place another try but I hope next time it's a little cleaner and food is cooked to my liking.

From the moment I walked into Cottonwood a million years ago - it is still the same amazing high quality and amazing service. Shannon and Jeff made me smile thru my whole meal. Wonderful humans. I came to brunch for the 1st time as I have only eaten amazing dinner here. I was blown away yet again - I am sorry I don't have a picture. I wolfed down my epic tahoe mountain hash. Come come come and run here!!

Reservations, check in, location indoors and outside and bar service and drinks were excellent. So was the food - when it finally arrived. It is a busy holiday weekend and it's understandable that the kitchen could get very busy - but we were virtually ignored by our server after being seated and ordering the bread and butter appetizer, we watched for 30 minutes while orders were being taken at other tables and food was coming out. We got our order in but again silence and we had to ask after a while where our entrees were, by then we had been seated for an hour. The Bavette steak, mashed potatoes and the fried chicken sandwich were otherwise good. We thought it would be cool to have a meal in a historic spot that put Truckee on the map and would return for the bar scene.

If you haven't been before, and we hadn't, don't be afraid of the drive to the restaurant. Google maps hasn't gotten you lost! LOL. It's worth it when you get there! First visit to Truckee and first visit to Cottonwood. Came highly recommended from friends and did not disappoint. The view is great. There had just been a storm so we ate inside. Dining room was nice and has a great view. The people really made the experience. I'm so tired of expensive restaurants with barely interested or absent servers. That was not the case here. The bartender was engaging and made great drinks. Our waitress, Raquel, was phenomenal. Some friends called and bought us a round of drinks so the manager came by to tell us. He was super friendly and made us feel very special. The food was also great. Had the cauliflower, wings and sprouts for appetizers. Pork chop, lamb, vegetarian meat loaf and cheeseburger for dinner. Large portions attractively plated that tasted great!

Ate here last month with a party of 5 that grew to a party of 7. The waitress and staff happily accommodated the change. The serves was fabulous. The recommendations from the waitress were great! The lamb was delicious and I am very selective about eating lamb. The atmosphere was nice and quite. We were there early so there were families. Highly recommend! It was so good the vegans in the group requested coming back for a birthday cheat meal!

I very rarely go against yelp reviews but decided to try Cottonwood because I remember in 2008-2009 it was one of the nicer restaurants in the area. The restaurant itself is very charming and has a wonderful view of downtown Truckee. I will also say that the service was good and our servers were so friendly we didn't want to tell them how bad our food was, we also felt the food was so bad it wasn't fixable anyways. We began with cauliflower bites. The cauliflower came out undercooked and also had the texture that it had been prepped days ago and dried out, the seasoning was good so we just wrote it off. Our entrees were horrible, no exaggeration, horrible. My husband got a burger and after a single bite knew it wasn't right. The burger also lacked mayonnaise and basic toppings. The fries had the same taste like they were old or had been prepped a long time ago. My vegan meatloaf was just weird and certainly not worth $35. It was a very disappointing and expensive dinner. The kitchen needs help.

Did this place come under new management? Did the chef run out with his hair on fire earlier today and therefore the barback had to throw together food for everyone? If your heart is set on dining here, then bring your pocket, Tabasco, salt, onion powder, pepper, and blindfold. I have never in my life had watery blue cheese dressing. What the actual stinky cheese happened here. There is no denying that this place has a fantastic view of downtown Truckee at sunset. It used to have a pretty decent burger and steak. I don't know what happened but we went tonight and although the wine was good, the food was absolutely terrible. The service is fine and the parking is ample but the food was Pretty damn shitty. I can't even believe they have the nerve to serve it. I could go back in the kitchen and do better in 20 minutes than they did. Sorry y'all. But dinner sucked.

Went back to the Cottonwood last night because we enjoyed it so much last week. Table outside overlooking Truckee at dusk, just beautiful. Patio was fairly busy, but Host took our drink and appetizers orders to help out wait staff and kept the ball rolling. Delicious Caesar salad with anchovies, French onion soup, chicken with fettuccine and a classic burger. Don't forget the scrumptious oatmeal cookie and ice cream! Waiter was super as well, just an overall delightful experience.

Cottonwood is always on our "do not miss" list when we visit Truckee. We visited on a recent Sunday (6/25) for brunch. We were a party of 7 and were seated promptly on the deck (as requested in our reservation). The deck was full and there was one server (Reed), one bartender and one hostess. Even though they were woefully understaffed, the three people were all in good spirts, kept us informed of the situation and never brought their stress to the table. Drinks - best Bloody Mary ever! I regret not asking the bartender's name, but the drink is made with his special mix. Perfection. Food -- we ordered the Caesar (always a winner), vegi tacos, Monte Cristo, stuffed french toast. All of it was delicious. Reed was exceptional in saving what could have been a really disappointing experience. Thank you Cottonwood for again being one of our favorites in town.